BJJ ace Mackenzie Dern hooks March UFC debut

Get the Full StoryThe former world championship grappler has cut a quick path to the world s top MMA promotion. It looks like Mackenzie Dern s plan has come to fruition. The former multiple time world championship grappler made her MMA debut just back in July of 2016, with her eyes on getting to the world s largest MMA promotion.

On December 8th, in Kansas City, Missouri, she faced off against Kaline Medeiros in Invicta FC. The fight had a very particular intention behind it, more than just getting another win: She had to prove she could make strawweight. If she did that, she seemed confident the UFC would come calling.

And that s just what happened.

Now sitting at an undefeated 5-0, MMA Fighting reports that the 24-year-old will be facing off against Ashley Yoder at UFC 222. The Spider Monkey is 5-3 in MMA having debuted back in 2014. The former TUF 23 cast member made it to the UFC off the back of an Invicta victory over Amber Brown, but has dropped both of her two bouts in the promotion losing decisions to Justine Kish and Angela Hill.

UFC 222 is set for March 3rd in Las Vegas, NV. The event is expected to feature the return of former bantamweight title contender Cat Zingano, taking on rising prospect Ketlen Vieira, as well as a heavyweight bout between Stefan Struve and Andrei Arlovski. No main event has been made official at this time.